From criminal cash to community grants

INVESTING: Through the Safer Communities Fund, West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Mark Burns Williamson, has handed out more than £850,000 to community groups and organisations

Applications open for ‘Safer Communities Funding’ bids

Local organisations from across West Yorkshire are being urged to apply for funding in the latest round of grants as cash continues to move from criminals’ pockets to the communities.

The Police and Crime Commissioner’s Safer Communities Fund opened for applications on Tuesday 1st September whereby groups are able to apply for up to £5,000.

To date, over £850,000 has been issued to 191 groups across the county with all grants provided via money seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act within West Yorkshire.

Mark Burns Williamson, West Yorkshire's Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), said the fund had already helped so many ‘worthwhile causes’ and was looking forward to helping even more.

“I originally launched the Safer Communities Fund to bring together money seized from criminals across West Yorkshire into a single pot which will benefit the local communities,” he said.

“There is an incredible demand for funding to pay for community projects from a very diverse and varied audience across West Yorkshire, which will help people be safer and feel safer.

“I would urge any organisations or groups that feel they meet the criteria for the grants to apply. We have helped some very worthwhile causes in the previous years and I hope this year will see more.”

Around £140,000 has been made available for this round of grants with a deadline for applications set for Friday 25th September.

One organisation which benefited from the free funding last year is the Bangladeshi Community Association Bradford (BCAB).

Allocated £7,712 to help with their project ‘Inspire Youths’, Jalal Uddin, centre manager, explained how the group was using the money.

HAPPY: Last year, the Bangladeshi Community Association Bradford was presented with a cheque for £7,712 to help fund their youth projects

“There has been a huge 33 per cent cut in the local youth services across Bradford so the funding we received from the police, has allowed us to continue providing projects from here,” he said.

“The project which was funded, Inspire Youth, looks to inspire young people in terms of development, socialising, understanding and community cohesion.

“The funding has also helped out with sport events, bringing people together, and helping to educate different cultures about each other.”

Bids for money under the latest Safer Communities Fund allocations can be made online or application forms can be downloaded from the West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner's website.

Each submission must meet the priorities and outcomes outlined in the PCC's Police and Crime Plan with successful bidders invited to a Community event where they will be presented with their money.